Tiny progress

First things first, I have to say a big THANK YOU to all of you that have been posting on my blog. I had no idea it would be this much fun, to share with the world our projects! I have been enjoying so many progress and finish pictures, it is enabling a lot of us with new ideas, and the ever growing "stash" list :). Waking up everyday and reading your wonderful comments is just so fabulous. Our blogs are one of the best things we could have ever done for each other (and it hasnt taken away from our stash fund). I am inspired to do more & see more stitching everyday!

Last night I didnt get as much stitching done as I wanted, the day went by me, and before I knew it, it was 8pm. I try to limit my stitching to after dinner, and late into the night, watching my favorites on the tube. I just cant seem to manage to get something done around here otherwise! The reindeer/horse/? is done and there will be a mirror image of him on the right side. Well, the whole thing will be a mirror image on the right side.... This piece is so different then my "norm" that it is very exciting to stitch. I hope to get it done this week. But, of course, you know I will keep sharing the progress with all of you! I hope you have a great day, and get alot of stitching done!!

A Finish & A Start

After finishing Miss Ida Mae, I had no clue what the next project was going to be. Monday morning I went to the craft room, and there are so many things in the stash, all kitted up waiting to be chosen to come out and play. So many options, so little time. The top picture is Sheepish Designs "Flaming Flower", now OOP. I switched the colors up a bit, still using Gentle Arts/Crescent Colors, but wanted my bird to be black (Black coffee) instead of "black crow" which is more navy blue. On a piece of leftover 40ct Lentil Lakeside Linens that I used from the Blackbird Loose Feathers Keepsake Box, it fit just perfectly! It is 4" x 5", nice, sweet, easy, & finished it last night.

It is still early Tuesday night, what should be next? The Goode Huswife "The Black Forest" also OOP... I don't know how deep this was in the pile, but I have only used Black linen once before, starting a Chatelaine piece (which needs to make an appearance....) and wanted to get in some more practice. I must say, with a proper light (I love my Ott light), I don't see any trouble with it. Using the NPI colors called for and 32ct Black linen, I am excited with the turnout. The picture on the pattern never does the piece justice, and I am all for changing things, but it seemed to work perfectly when I pulled the colors out. I will take more progress pics tonight!

Meet Ida Mae, She is all done!

I have had such a blast stitching Miss Ida Mae (as my friend Brandy calls her!). Such a fun piece and it is nice to switch it up a bit. I think the colors are terrific. She is a wonderful addition to our home!

Ida Mae

I have seen Ida being stitched on a few blogs, and decided I too, had to have her on my blog. Last night seemed like the perfect night to start stitching because of all the blackbirds in the yard. I am using 36ct Vintage Autumn Gold and NPI. She stitches up rather quickly, she should be done this weekend! Unfortunately, the color of the linen is shown best on the very top picture. Her little dress is soo Super Cute!!!

Quakers Rule

To switch things up a bit, I remembered I had this pattern from Milady's Needle called "Quakers Rule", and the ruler. My friend Barb has this stitched up, and I had to have it. Something out of the ordinary. I had started this a few months ago, and thought it would be nice to get it done. I chose Sienna Night Lakeside Linen 40ct, with Silk threads. Generally I dont know much about finishing, but I thought I would give this one a try, how hard can it be? Super cute right?! We have some blackbird families that moved into the yard, and I like watching them build their nests. I thought it would be fun to have one in the picture!

Autumn Bouquet

Autumn Bouquet is complete! This has been a fun little project, in between Mouline Rouge, and nice to get another finish under my belt!! I wonder what I will pull out of the stash next?!!

Mouline Rouge is Done!!!!

On Wednesday night, April 15, I was determined to complete my Mouline. I watched hours of my favorite TV programs, didnt watch the clock, and stitched! I only had 1 1/2 motifs to go!! When I was done, it was 12:50 am. Not to bad!!! I am absolutely thrilled to have this piece done!!!! Can you believe, that I used 30 skeins of WDW Confederate Grey for the motifs and 4 skeins of WDW Tin Roof for the letters/numbers. I used 2 stands over 2, I like it fuller. I am glad I had enough!! I couldnt be more pleased with the turn out!! I hope you enjoy it too!

What about Mouline???

I havent forgotten about Mouline!! It has been a rough week, not stitching that much. But, I have made some progress since the last pic a few weeks ago!! I only have 5 1/2 motifs to complete yet, and a few letters/numbers. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but I can't make any promises!! An update was an order though!

A HUGE Challenge

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the Bard Graduate Center in NYC and saw embroidery work from 1580-1700's. Let me tell you, I had chills!! This work is INCREDIBLE!!! Words cannot describe!! The detail, the metal thread, the stitches were immaculate! Solid pieces in the size frame of 3 x 8 Feet-- SOLID stitches!!! 3-D people, animals and homes! A queens jacket (On loan from the Victoria & Albert museum), that took 2 years to embroider, and looks to me like it would fit a 10 year old!! These people stitched by CANDLE light!!!!! Stump-work like we have never seen!! There is an amazing book out with all of these pieces included and then some. I am thrilled to own the book, but even more excited to have seen these pieces in a beautiful town home on the Upper West Side.

So, you wonder about the HUGE Challenge? I feel like I am still in Kindergarten, when comparing my work to these special people!! Believe me, there are not to many people in todays time, that can stitch these pieces right? But, I thought I could step it up a notch, and begin this challenge called "PEACE" by A Stitchers Hand. I look forward to working on this piece, although I will be working on other projects in between this ENORMOUS piece. Of course, the colors have been changed and the linen too, but that is what keeps this hobby exciting right! I prefer the rich tones of the garnet/cranberry color to the bright reds. The black has been replaced with a rich brown. The sky blues have been darkened and the greens too. I have started this piece, and what is shown so far in this picture, is the very center top flower, and already I have used about 9 colors. I am very happy with the color choice in the silks. The linen choice is 40ct Sienna Night from Lakeside. I look forward to working on this, enjoying every stitch!

My Homework

For the last few years, my friend Jeannine and I, have given each other homework assignments, to be completed in the next year. In the next year??!!! Yes!! A fun little project, we decide on the pattern, and each choose the linen and threads that we like. This past year the assignment was "Eleanor Jaegler Sampler" from Willow Hill Samplings. I chose to use Light Examplar 48ct from Lakeside Linens, with Colorwash Silk. Yes, you read correctly 48ct!! To show size, I have added a quarter to the picture, so you can see size! I am stitching it over 2, so it could be alot smaller!! I am enjoying this homework!

Keepsake Box & Pinkeep

I LOVE this piece! This is Blackbird Designs "Keepsake Box & Pinkeep" Loose Feathers #33. Stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linens Lentil and Belle Soie Silk thread. A very easy little project that looks absolutely fabulous!!!! I love the colors; the rich deep burgundy is one of my favorites! The "Keepsake box" is what? Well, you are supposed to finish this piece on the top of a little box, you keep little treasures in! I have not made it that far!!!! I think I am going to frame it instead!

Oldies but Goodies

Last year I completed these cute little Birds of a Feather pieces, the first piece is "Bloom Where you are Planted" done on 28ct Birds of a Feather Meadowlark linen with Weeks & Gentle arts threads. The bottom piece is "Schoolhouse Sampler" done on 32ct Birds of a Feather Onyx linen with Weeks & Gentle arts threads. Both were a nice treat to stitch!!

Thriller

This is Sampler Cove's THRILLER. I finished this in December 2008. Stitched on 40ct FOG from Picture this Plus, with Au Vera Soie Silk in deep red & black. My very good friend Tasha gave me this pattern last summer, and we have each stitched & completed this GORGEOUS piece. Some may have seen this one, but it is to good not to share with you!! I stitched Blackwork for the first time on this piece, alot of work, but I am "thrilled" with the results!!